In the way that Claira Blanchard crafts her music, she also took that approach when writing her speech as valedictorian of the Sir James Dunn Academy graduating class of 2025.
“My first attempt [at writing this speech] was overwhelming and stressful, and frankly, I had no idea what heartfelt and empathetic message I was trying to encapsulate,” said Blanchard, explaining her creative process.
“I could have talked about the familial feel of a class that has known one another since preschool, or maybe how, despite our differences, we’ve always been a unit, or how we have been referred to as ‘the brick’ or ‘the responsible ones’ by the teachers. Now, as true and as wonderful as those all are, none of them really sat with me correctly.”
Blanchard said no single pivotal moment or life-altering event shaped her and her peers into the people they are today.
“No dramatic turning point molded us,” she said. “Instead, our growth was a steady, powerful, quiet evolution into who we are. The puzzle pieces that make up our identities come not from grand gestures, but from every small act of kindness we extended, every time we forgave.”
Blanchard credits the seemingly insignificant moments they shared as being their true tests of character that allowed them to evolve into the trailblazers and role models they are today.
“We are a group of leaders, planners, captains, coaches, fundraisers, and just people who know how to show up, step up and support one another regardless of the situation.”
This was fitting, because just before, her class had been awarded with a vast variety of scholarships and bursaries from their education and various accomplishments.
Blanchard herself won an award for an aspiring writer, the “Lafe Locke Aspiring Writers” scholarship.
With her bright songwriting future in mind, she will be attending Dalhousie University for a Bachelor in Arts, planning to bring her education and talent back to St. Andrews to “enrich the town with music.”
Blanchard ended her speech with a message to the next graduating class of SJDA.
“To the next graduating class, we’re pretty hard act to follow, so good luck.”
